Laptop webcams often look bad because of hardware limits, but Engadget's guide argues that simple fixes can help before you spend money on an external camera. The first step is cleaning the lens, since fingerprints from opening the lid are a frequent cause of blurry images. A microfiber cloth is enough, and household cleaners may damage the screen.
Lighting matters more than any software setting, according to the guide. Avoid having a bright light behind you, and instead face a window or use a lamp in front of you. Macs offer a built-in Edge Light feature, while Windows users can try third-party apps like LightON or Edge Light for Windows.
Software adjustments can also help. Windows 11 lets you change brightness and saturation for your built-in webcam, and some cameras support Video HDR. NVIDIA Broadcast and the Camo tool offer noise removal and eye contact correction. Mac users can use Studio Light. If none of these help, the guide says an external webcam or using your iPhone as a Mac webcam remains the best option.